Dolly Parton's legacy: Her Imagination Library thrives in Kearney with Rotary's help
The death of Dolly Parton on Tuesday left millions grieving, including Carol Renner, retired 27-year associate superintendent of Kearney Public Schools.
“My reaction is shock and sadness, but I have an appreciation for what she opened to our community to get books in the homes of so many children,” Renner said.
Carol Renner
Renner is coordinator of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a national program that’s handled locally by Kearney Noon Rotary. It sends books once a month to children from birth to age 5 who live in the 68845 and 68847 zip codes and are registered for the program.
The books are free, but Noon Rotary pays the postage and handling.
The program has served 1,300 children here since it started four years ago. It currently sends books to 700 children each month, and more are on the waiting list.
“Children get 12 books a year for five years. That’s a whole library,” Renner said.
Carol Renner uses this paper standup model of Dolly Parton during fundraisers for the Imagination Library, a Kearney Noon Rotary reading project launched nationwide by Parton.
Renner said books opened Parton’s world. Parton was one of 12 children who grew up in a poverty-stricken eastern Tennessee family. Her father could neither read nor write. “He inspired her,” Renner said.
Renner has a life-sized paper standup model of Dolly Parton at her home that she uses during fundraisers for the Imagination Library program. Children like posing with it.
“This program opened the door to our providing books to so many kids,” Renner said. “Our project wouldn’t have happened had we not found this opportunity.”
Renner helped launch the Noon Rotary Club’s participation in the program. Rotary determines how many children can receive books.
“We decided what was reasonable and affordable. We’d love to do more, but funds are limited. It can be a costly commitment, but I found that Kearney has such a tremendous support for literacy, and people have come forward to donate so we’ve been able to contribute,” she said.
The Kearney Area Community Foundation is the program's fiscal agent. Angie Vlasin, KACF finance director, said several donations came in Tuesday and Wednesday in Parton's memory. Gifts can be given to the Kearney Noon Rotary Dolly Parton Imagination Library Fund.
Donations are also given through the annual KACF's Give Where You Live event each December.
Renner keeps a database of recipients, along with a waiting list. When children turn 5, they age out of the program, but not before receiving a “graduation book.”
At that time, she moves a child on the waiting list into the program. “All children on the list will get in eventually,” she said.
“Kids can be read to starting at birth. They begin loving books, and by the time they are 5, they are more ready to enter kindergarten. There’s better family literacy all around,” she said.
Renner said she is “totally committed” to the program. Every donation goes toward postage for the books. “Nothing is spent on anything for Rotary. We’re all volunteers. We are paying for the books to get into the hands of as many children as possible," she said.
Renner also praised Kearney mail carriers for delivering 700 books each month.
“Dolly had such joyful generosity. She loved good causes. I feel like I knew her well,” Renner said.
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Fans across Tennessee and the world are honoring the life and legacy of Dolly Parton, and here are several ways you can do the same.
